San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes
San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes
Grade II
A mile and one sixteenth
Fast Dirt
$200,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
Well race fans, here we are in 2011 and I am back with my newest magic bottle of whiskey (which will help me choose the winner once I finish emptying it) to cover the San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes. We have ten strong runners in what looks to be a closely contested 8.5 furlongs. The weather looks to be glorious, and the track is fast. On to the runners!
PP 1: Henry Clay (KY) – owned by gipper8 – odds 9/1: This 6 year old horse out of A.P. Indy is a two time winner at the Grade 3 level. He has 9 career wins in 30 starts, and has earned in excess of $500,000. Both graded wins coming at a mile and one sixteenth, this race falls right into his sweet spot. He likes to run off the pace and make one big run at the end, and that could play to his favor against this field. Last win was 6 months ago in the G3 – The Cultural Centre Cup at a speed of 112 at 8.5f.
PP 2: Bushwacked Ted (KSA) – owned by pup – odds 10/1: A 4 year old colt out of Official Flame that has found the winners circle three times in graded races, once at each level. With 6 wins in 21 starts, this colt has earned well bringing in over $725,000 for pup stables. While he has never won a race over 8f, he has placed in Graded stakes at 8.5f. Runs at the front, and at his best stalking the lead, he should be near or at the front out of the gate. Last win was in October in the G2 – Bettis Handicap with a speed of 113 at 8f.
PP 3: Deeproute.com (JPN) – owned by testcase – odds 4/1: Sired by Deep Impact, this homebred has found the winner circle twice in Graded races, both coming in G2’s. He has 11 wins in 33 starts and earnings in excess of $700,000. This horse has been flexible for his owners, and has won listed stakes on both dirt & turf. It has been over a year and a half since his last trip under 9f and has not won a race under 9f since he broke his maiden at 6f in 2007. Runs best at the front so look for him to be pushing for the lead early, it will be interesting to see how he handles the shorter distance. Last win July 2010 in the G2 – Gotta Fix The Sprinklers Classic at a speed of 110 at 9.5f.
PP 4: Seeking Storms (KY) – owned by wish – odds 6/1: This 5 year old from Seeking the Gold has yet to find the winners circle in Graded races, but has shown the speed and ability in taking second in the G3 – Save a Buck. With 8 wins in 30 career races, his career started off rough being thought of as a sprinter. He was claimed as summer ended in 2009, and has responded to being moved to more comfortable distance for him of 8f & 8.5f respectively. Another horse that loves lead early, again he figures to be at or near the front out of the gate. Last win September 2010 in the ST – The BENGAL CARSON Challenge at a speed of 110 at 8.5f.
PP 5: Dirrty (KY) – owned by plugger2 – odds 11/1: Sired by Gone West this 4 year old colt is making his Graded stakes debut. For the last 6 months he has been terrorizing the Allowance and Listed Stakes circuits and has ripped off 6 straight wins at distances between 8 & 9 furlongs. He is lightly raced with only 15 starts & 7 career wins, along with earnings in excess of $180,000. A stalk the lead type could be one to watch for an upset in his biggest race to date. Last win December 2010 in the ST – The SENIOR J. O. Special with a speed of 109 at 9f.
PP 6: Zapingo (IRE) – owned by andros – odds 9/1: A 4 year old out of Galileo that has won Graded Stakes on both surfaces, Zapingo brings his versatility to this California track. He has 5 wins in 19 starts with a pair of G2’s and a G3 win included. With winnings almost totaling $900,000 he looks to break the million dollar mark with a strong showing. A horse that likes to run at the back of the pack before making one big run at the end, Zapingo could benefit from the match of early speed to catch a tiring lead pack late. Last win November 2010 in the G3 – Its All Your Fault Stakes with a speed of 113 at 8f.
PP 7: Volaimpacto (JPN) – owned by danno2 – odds 9/1: This son of Deep Impact only boasts one Graded win with a G2 victory in May 2010. He does however have impressive career earnings of over $1,000,000 with 8 wins in 18 starts. Looks to enjoy distances between 9f & 10f, this is another runner dropping distance. Another stalk the lead type – could benefit from the reduction in distance as he has struggled the last couple of tries in Graded fields. Last win May 2010 in the G2 – The West Coaster with a speed of 113 at 9f.
PP 8: Speed or Comfort (KY) – owned by lenny29 – odds 5/1: This 5 year old son of Corinthian has 11 wins in 28 starts, does not have a win at the Graded level and has only one Graded start in his career. He has earned over $360,000 for lenny29 to date, and has shown potential. Most of his career spent on the Allowance circuit, he does have a couple Listed Stakes wins to his credit. Last time he stepped up in class he ran a respectable 4th out of 14 runners in the G1 – Bob Woodward Memorial. Last win December 2010 in the ST – The WESTERN RUNNER Challenge with a speed of 112 at 8f.
PP 9: Drowninatthebar (OK) – owned by icbomber10 – odds 6/1: Sired by Preachinatthebar, this 5 year old has yet to score a win in the Graded ranks. He does have 3 starts at that level, but all 3 ending with Drownin out of the money and many lengths off the pace. With 12 wins in 29 starts, and earnings in excess of $345,000 he has produced well for owner icbomber at the allowance level. He also has 3 wins in listed stakes so there is clearly talent, he just hasn’t put it together at the next level yet. He takes another shot here, and the distance of 8.5f fits Drownin well. An off the pace runner he will be looking for the big run late. Last win November 2010 at the ST – The PYE IS PERFECT Memorial with a speed of 114 at 8.5f.
PP 10: East Side Love (KY) – owned by icbomber4 – odds 5/1: Lining up in the outside gate, this 5 year old son of Sky Mesa is still searching for that elusive Graded win. Two prior attempts came up empty, but with 9 wins in 25 starts, and over $260,000 in earnings his owner can’t be unhappy. With only one Listed Stakes win, East Side will need to have a career day to pull off the win. Distance seems about right for him & he is dangerous when he can get out in front. He may have a hard time getting to the front of this field however, as it seems a little stacked with early speed. Last win November 2010 in the ST – The PEYRESURDE Stakes with a speed of 112 at 9f.
Its late, I am drunk, and I can swear that damn magic whiskey bottle is moving around. As I gaze into its empty depths I see a struggle early with multiple horses wanting to set the pace. I will be honest … right now I am not seeing clearly, but my gut is telling to place a hefty bet on the following results!
#1 – Zapingo
#2 – Dirrty
#3 – Speed or Comfort
Good luck to all the runners.